NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts from the “family farms” Category

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Buell’s Orchard in Eastford, Connecticut is a treat! Tucked in the countryside of the northeastern part of the state, Connecticut’s “Quiet Corner”, Buell’s can be a bit tricky to find – it’s easy to drive past the small sign indicating the turn to reach the orchard. Upon arrival – on the day of my visit last October – it seemed like a New England fantasy oasis come to life amidst deep red, orange and yellow leaves. Alluring rich hues that enveloped the orchard turned due to the cold nights accompanied by warm days characteristic of the autumn season. In mere weeks, Buell’s is primed to look that way again as the regional late…

Article by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Photos Courtesy of the Comte Family Vegetables fresh from the Root Seller/Comte Family Farm in Nottingham, New Hampshire are clearly a taste buds delight. Folks travel to farmers markets – stretching from the New England seacoast and inland – just to get them. “Busy, busy, busy,” that’s the word from family members about this year’s growing season. Maple syrup production dominates the late winter and early spring here, but come planting season the Comte Family – Dan, his wife Susan and their three sons, Tyler, Andrew and Anthony – are hard at work with the fields. Potatoes, peas, carrots, radishes and a variety of beans – “naturally grown without chemical fertilizers or synthetic pesticides”,…

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Farm Day at the Fish Family Farm in Bolton, Connecticut will be held Saturday, August 30, 2014 to benefit the Lutz Children’s Museum. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will feature barn tours, a chance to ‘meet’ the animals, hayrides, a Farmer’s Market, games, face-painting, plenty of Fish Family ice cream and more. Stop inside the farm store and buy a container of ice cream to bring home. Admission is $6 for museum members and $7 for non members. Off-site parking will be available at a nearby school. The Fish Family Farm is located at 20 Dimock Lane. Farm Day is a fundraiser for the Manchester-based Lutz Children’s Museum, a non-profit…

By: Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Among the many photos I have taken, one of my favorites I shot during my first ever hayride. It was on a gorgeous, late summer day in September of 2012, sunny, dry with a slight chill in the air – perfect sweatshirt and shorts weather – my favorite kind. I attended the Grange Fair in West Simsbury, Connecticut where they were offering free hayrides, and I decided it was high time that this New England girl get aboard to find out what it would be like firsthand. To get started, the line of eager passengers was to climb up a small step ladder into the wagon. Thanks to my long legs the step ladder was unnecessary for me.…

By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Years after my father’s death he is still quoted on virtually a daily basis by his children and grandchildren – affectionately known to his grand kids as “Big Johnny.” “Big Johnny always said, ‘Buy American.’” “Big Johnny always said, ‘Never cross a picket line.’” “Big Johnny always said, ‘Tip well, treat service sector workers with respect.’” “Dad always said, ‘Put your emergency brake on before putting your vehicle in park to take pressure off the transmission.’” “Dad always said, ‘Turn your tires curbside out when parking.’” “Big Johnny/Dad always said, ‘Put your head up, your shoulders back and remember who you are.’” The list goes on, however, the latter is at the foundation of who he was, how we…

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Organic farming has gone from “nutty” to noveau. For the rising numbers of American consumers concerned about the use of growth hormones and application of synthetic organic pesticides in conventional produce, and preservation of American farms, now is the time of year to shop for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) organic farm to join. “It’s not a movement – yet,” said one customer at the George Hall Farm in Connecticut’s Farmington Valley last summer. But she predicted organic produce is the way of the future. Like his fellow organic farmers, Darren Cugno, owner of Cugno’s Farm in Colchester, Connecticut is convinced that organic produce is not only better but that conventional fruits and vegetables can be downright…

Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb There could not be a more delightful destination this time of year then Brown’s Harvest in Windsor, Connecticut. The pumpkin patch attracts visitors from throughout Connecticut and beyond. In fact, many people say an autumn stop at Brown’s is an annual tradition. “I’ve been bringing them here since they were little tykes,” Rich Massaro of Windsor Locks said about his son and daughter Zack and Lexi during their October 26 visit to Brown’s. “I like the hayrides and picking out pumpkins,” noted Lexi. Eleven- month–old Lucas Smith’s parents live in Enfield and brought him to the farm to pick out baby’s first pumpkin. Meanwhile, Fernando of Manchester came with his 4-year-old daughter Makayla who was having her…